Bravehearts

Sharks Bite Worcester in the Late Innings  

Six unanswered eighth inning runs catapult the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks to Victory

 

Worcester, MA - The Bravehearts were unable to hold on to a five-run lead, losing to the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks by the score of 8-7.

 

The Bravehearts took a first-inning lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff single by Mariano Ricciardi and a walk by Chris Rinaldi, followed by a single by Michael Dellicarri, put Worcester up 1-0. The Bravehearts continued to pad the lead, as Dustin Harris, Edward Haus, and Brett Coffel all drove in runs of their own. By the end of the first, Worcester was leading 4-0. 

 

The sixth inning saw the Bravehearts tack on two more runs. A Brett Coffel leadoff home run, coupled with an RBI single by Chris Rinaldi, gave Worcester a 7-2 lead. 

 

Makenzie Stills pitched well for Worcester, giving up two runs on two hits in six innings of work, striking out six batters and walking four. 

 

Heading into the top of the eighth, the Bravehearts appeared to be in control, leading 7-2. It was at that point, however, that the game began to unravel for Worcester. 

 

Singles by Matt Oldham and Eric Foggo, along with a Jackson Raper walk, loaded the bases for Martha’s Vineyard. Kellen Hatheway drove in one run on a single of his own. After a Josh Spiegal strikeout, Collin Shapiro cleared the bases with a three-run double, cutting the Worcester lead to 7-6. The Sharks would take the lead, 8-7, when Matt Chamberlain doubled, driving home Shapiro and Kai Nelson, who had walked and then stolen second base. 

 

The Bravehearts were unable to answer in the bottom of the eighth and ninth, and fell to Martha’s Vineyard, 8-7. Connor Hall picked up the win for Martha’s Vineyard, while Angelo Baez took the loss for the Bravehearts.

 

Worcester travels to Pittsfield tomorrow for a doubleheader, and returns home Sunday to play Bristol at 4:05.